Daralynn Walker invited back to HFC to read her children’s book
For the second consecutive year, the HFC School of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Future Teachers Association (FTA) will welcome children’s author Daralynn Walker on Wednesday, October 15, from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Michael A. Berry Amphitheater (Room L-115) on the first floor of the Andrew A. Mazzara Administrative Services & Conference Center (ASCC) (Building L on the main campus).
“It’s an honor to be back at HFC for a second year!” said Walker. “Last year’s HFC visit was a personal highlight for me. The event was beautifully organized, the faculty were incredibly supportive, and the students brought smart, heartfelt questions. It was a joy to engage with the students, and I’m excited to do the same this year.”
A Detroit native, Walker, who is best known for her well-received Madison Miles and Friends series of children’s books, will once again read from her non-fiction children’s book called Super Cities! Detroit, which explores the history of Detroit and covers fun things to go and do in the Motor City.
“I’m blessed to write in two spaces that talk to and complement each other. The Madison Miles series is the story. It's about girls leading with curiosity, bravery, and love in Detroit. Super Cities! Detroit is the map: real history, and places that deepen what kids can feel and imagine. Both intend to help Detroit kids see themselves and their city clearly and proudly,” said Walker, an alumna of Eastern Michigan University and Davenport University.
Her work has been featured on Fox 2 Detroit and Channel 4.
“Demand has been steady, and the response has been magnetic! Kids get hooked and keep exploring!” she said. “This book didn’t happen by chance. It emerged from years of writing Detroit-centered children’s stories, building relationships with community partners, meeting needs, and showing up- in schools, in neighborhoods, and online until the body of work was impossible to miss. That sustained effort led to the invitation to author the Detroit volume.”
“I hope she inspires students to write a book about their community”
HFC Pre-Education Director Dr. Carolyn Casale invited Walker to HFC a second time. After Walker finishes her book presentation to the students from William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn, she will answer questions and sign copies of Super Cities! Detroit.
“It is exciting to invite Daralynn Walker to our campus again,” said Casale. “Last year, she had a dynamic, interactive presentation. I learned a great deal from her. Ms. Walker has written a wide variety of books. The Detroit one is my favorite because it appeals to fifth graders, college students, community members, and anyone interested in learning more about Detroit. I am currently teaching History in Elementary Schools, and her book on Detroit provides a fun local emphasis. I hope she inspires students to write a book about their community.”
Both Francine Cercone and Kimberly Cojei teach fifth grade at William Ford. They are looking forward to this event.
"This is an amazing experience for our students to meet an author who wrote a book about the community around them in such a fun, unique way that it grasps their attention and keeps them reading,” said Cercone. “It's inspiring for our students to have the opportunity to meet Daralynn Walker so they can see that they also have the opportunity one day to do the same."
Added Cojei: "The children's author event is an exciting experience, where our Willian Ford fifth grade students meet the author of the book that they read as a class, ask thoughtful questions, and visit HFC for the first time. We can't wait to hear from Daralynn Walker and learn more about her deep knowledge of Detroit."
The event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. For questions or more information about this event, contact Casale at 313-317-6580 or ccasale@hfcc.edu.